Noordwijk aan Zee not only scores poorly in a ranking of the best beaches in the Netherlands, but once off the beach it is also one surprise after another. The municipality of Noordwijk wants to improve the quality of the coastal area. The municipality does this by also developing the less beautiful places. In their own words, this is necessary to continue to be attractive to residents, visitors and entrepreneurs in the future. The design for the redesign of the Parallel Boulevard is ready to be implemented. This redevelopment is intended to turn Parallel Boulevard into a pleasant street where traffic flows.
decayed glory
Noordwijk aan Zee was one of the coastal towns that underwent the transformation from fishing village to seaside resort in the second half of the nineteenth century. It was considered a fashionable seaside resort where you wanted to be seen. When we visit Noordwijk today it is still a shock. Hotel van Oranje has long ceased to be the eye-catcher on Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard. The main attractions are the dilapidated buildings, the overdue maintenance of balconies and apartment buildings. While you look in amazement at all the past glory, you have to be careful that you don't trip over curbs and subsidence in the sidewalk. And yet Noordwijk still feels like a fashionable seaside resort.
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On the Vuurtorenplein, a place where Noordwijkers have been ashamed for years, apartments are now for sale where four tons is a normal asking price. The square is known to tourists for its weekly market. The impoverished Vuurtorenplein must become a green square without high-rise buildings. A square where there is room for culture, events and markets. A parking garage is to be built under the square. At least, these are the wishes of politicians. The question is, however, when these wishes can be fulfilled. But there is more going on in Noordwijk aan Zee when it comes to real estate.
under pressure
Real estate company Bever Holding has quietly sold a third of its real estate portfolio. The South Holland construction group Adriaan van Erk Groep is paying €60 million for ten plots in Noordwijk, the development of which has been difficult for years. It is remarkable that the municipality has the first right of sale for eight objects. That appears from research of the FD. Bever and Van Erk, who have not communicated anything about the sales to date, will not comment when asked. The municipality confirms that it is familiar with the transactions, but cannot make any statements about the plot development due to confidentiality of ongoing negotiations. Lawsuits are also still pending over the established pre-emptive rights.
The most eye-catching projects are 'the Gat van Palace', a square where a hotel used to be, and the Vuurtorenplein, also located on the coastline, where shops are located. The deeds of sale state that Van Erk had left €32,5 million and €5 million respectively for the plots. “The municipality cannot provide any further information about this process 'at the moment'. However, a spokesperson confirms that 'to the best of our knowledge there has been no change of owner' for these plots”, writes the Financieel Dagblad.
Also read: Visitors are very satisfied with the North Sea coast
